ext source: Isaiah 53:4-5.
Vere languores ("Surely he hath borne our infirmities") is a splendid text for all of Holy Week, particularly Good Friday. Coming from the Fourth Suffering Servant Song in Isaiah [53:4-5], it shows the Messiah's suffering and eventual exaltation as he atones for the sins of the world. In his mainly homophonic setting, Mark Siebert uses a variety of dynamics to portray the drama of the lyrics, ranging from pianissimo to fortissimo. The key is b minor, the vocal ranges are comfortable and the style is quite consonant. This is an effective contemporary addition to any SATB choir's Holy Week repertoire! The text is translated: "Surely he hath borne our iniquities and carried our sorrows: and we have thought of him as afflicted. But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed.". |
